I am Taiwo Akinlami, a SELF-MOTIVATED Social Worker and Social Empowerment Advocate™. I am a Public Interest and Social Development Legal Practitioner and arguably Africa’s foremost Child Rights/Protection and Family Strengthening THINKER and PRACTITIONER…I STUDY, OBSERVE & INTERPRET CHILDHOOD & her many & neglected MYSTERIES for the purpose of PRESERVING CHILDHOOD & transiting same to FUNCTIONAL ADULTHOOD.

“Addiction begins with the hope that something “out there” can instantly fill up the emptiness inside”. Jean KILBOURNE

Hello my dear and precious young friends. Sure you are doing great today. How was your night? Sure it was great.

Today, I will continue our discussion on why I think young people use drugs. Here is the 6th and the last reason: Adventure: as young people, you are very adventurous. Many young people want to test their curiosity. As I always say, life is too serious and real to be lived by trial and errors. God gave you curiosity not to destroy you but to help you to query things for your progress and stand out. Your adventure must never lead to embark on doing something you know could destroy you.

When we were in secondary school, one of our mates went to smoke dry pawpaw leaves. He wanted to taste it. He gave his adventurous mind free flow of expression. Do you know what happened to him? Hmmm…He ran mad just like that. The truth is that he did not finish secondary school with us. I always tell myself that I must never smell what I do not plan to eat. I must not taste anything that has no clear benefits for my body.

Many young people have lost their lives and future as results of adventure. As I have said before here that being young does not mean you are stupid or irresponsible. Any adventure that does not push you forward towards becoming a responsible youth, who will become responsible adult, is not worth it. Adventure must lead you to positive actions and not negative ones.

I have shared with you the six reasons, I believe young people abuse drug. I think I have only two assignments left in this discussion. The first is to discuss with you the impact of drug abuse and the last is to share with you how you can avoid being involved in drug abuse. I will do the first one today and in the days ahead by the grace of God, I will round off with the second.

Drug abuse does not have any advantage for you as young person. As a matter of fact, it is a distraction to your mind. Your mind is very important to your success today and tomorrow. You cannot afford your mind to be messed up by drugs. ‘We know from scientific research that the earlier you start using drugs, the more likely you are to become addicted and suffer serious social and medical consequences. The reasons for this are complex—first, drugs affect the brain, and the brain is still developing until early adulthood.’ Medical science has established that “addiction is a brain disease…. Studies have shown that nicotine, cocaine, heroine, amphetamines and other addictive drugs alter the brains pleasure circuit, known as reward circuit”.

It has also been established that ‘drug abuse and addiction and other mental disorders are intimately related, so this question is like a coin that can be looked at from two different sides. On one hand, we have known for a long time that people who abuse drugs, in general, have higher rates of many mental illnesses. In fact, there is evidence that drug abuse early in life may increase the risk of psychiatric disorders or accelerate their course.’

Above all, drug addiction can cause a young person his/her life. Still in the news is the painful case of Bobbi Kristina “Krissy” Brown, who has been in coma since January 31, 2015 after she was found face down in a bathtub in her Georgia home. Brown has been in the news for a while now for drug use. It is important to note that drug abuse has claimed the lives of many young people, among many other health hazards it brings.

I think I should sign out here. I will be with you tomorrow. I think I need to allow you to digest this very important reason why I believe young people get into drugs. Do have an INSPIRED day.

The THINK Factor

What do you understand by adventure and how do you think it should enrich or advance you as a young person, preparing for a glorious future? Take time to really reflect and share your thoughts in your S.A.F.E™ 4 YOU Personal Journal and share with your parents and other trusted caregivers and friends.